Hello, my name is Thea, and I am 21 years old from South Florida. As a senior Sociology student from the University of Florida, I was able to come to South Africa through my University’s study abroad program. As part of my program focused on power, policy, protest, and NPOs in South Africa I was placed with Philisa Abafazi Bethu and I am so grateful I was. Being able to intern at PAB for a month gave me the chance to look within myself and think about ways that I can best serve others in an impactful + positive way. Being able to utilize my creative side, my logical reasoning side, and my critical thinking side helped immerse me into the everyday work of grassroots organizing and community activism. Lastly, being able to learn from Lucinda has been phenomenal. She reminds me of just how important this work is and the necessity to focus on the community’s needs instead of just my own.